Walter PondAnthropology, Gender, Bodies, and Bathrooms
Despite what some may think, “feminist biology” has little to do with genitalia envy. Anthropologist Caroline VanSickle, a postdoctoral fellow in feminist biology, is more interested in how our cultural assumptions about gender distort our view of human evolution.
In the US, gender and genitalia remain controversial for those concerned about which genders share bathroom facilities. Anthropologists help us keep this tempest in perspective, since many people globally do not have the luxury of bathroom facilities. In these communities the issue is sanitation and health.
Of Similar Interest to Anthropologists…
Contemplate your own subtitle-envy in this interview with the author of The Geography of Madness: Penis Thieves, Voodoo Death, and the Search for the Meaning of the World’s Strangest Syndromes.
Since gender and identity can be wrapped up in our clothing, we will be interested to see what is revealed next November at the recently announced conference, Creating African Fashion Histories.
The Bottom Line
Anthropology helps us make sense of the world, whether for social or commercial ends. Just ask Forbes Magazine.